HC directs Home Secretary to file report on criminal cases pending against police personnel - The HinduPublished - September 29, 2026 11:15 pm IST - MADURAIThe Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Home Secretary to file a report on the number of criminal cases pending against the police personnel and how long they were pending, after the Director General of Police (DGP) failed to furnish the particulars.Justice B. Pugalendhi sought the details and posted the matter for hearing to October 1. The court also sought to know the details of the departmental proceedings initiated, if any, against police personnel who were involved in criminal cases. The court had earlier directed the DGP to file a report.The court said it was unable to understand how the particulars were not available with the Police Department. As per the 2025-26 policy note of Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, considerable resources are being spent for computerisation of the Police Department and maintenance of records through electronic systems.The State government has received a sum of Rs.141 crore under the Modernisation of the Police Force scheme (MPF). Further, a sum of ₹71.48 crore has been allotted for the digitisation and integration of records in the Tamil Nadu Police Department, the court said.The FIRs are registered through online mode and the subsequent stages of criminal proceedings including filing of final reports are also being submitted and retrieved electronically. When such systems are in place, particulars of criminal cases involving serving police personnel and the corresponding disciplinary proceedings should also be ascertained from the records maintained by the Department, the court said.The court was hearing a petition filed by M. Sowntharapandian, who was provisionally selected for appointment to the post of Grade II Constable by Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board.The appointment was denied after police verification revealed he was involved in a criminal case. He challenged the memo of rejection issued by the Superintendent of Police, Theni. The trial court acquitted him of all charges.Published - September 29, 2026 11:15 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }